Mental Illness Happy Hour

Paul's support group friend, recovering heroin addict and author shares about his upbringing on the Isle of Mann (UK) and the shame and anxiety he felt about secrets in his family and within himself. He opens up about his psychosis that convinced him that not only was he the devil he was also James Bond. He touches on his battles with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, codependency, religious delusions and grappling with the idea of what it means to be a man.

Originally recorded while speaking under the pseudonym "Daisy" to protect her from her abusive ex-fiancee, CC, a successful model, DJ and actress describes her relationship with a wealthy, powerful and manipulative drug addict/alcoholic who had turned increasingly violent and controlling. She opens up about the therapist and support group that helped her leave the abuse and gain clarity on the dynamics of domestic abuse.

Renowned author & TedTalk speaker Dr. Guy Winch talks about different kinds of heartbreak, especially the ones some people  minimize (loss of pets or non-married breakups). He gets into the science of how our brains react to loss, how we experience this emotionally and some tips for coping or supporting someone.

Paul is joined by two support group friends, Jonathan & Mukunda, to talk about their experience 3 weeks earlier when a shooting victim stumbled into their meeting and began bleeding out at their feet. Jonathan and Mukunda, both sober and ex-criminals, talk about how they were able to respond differently today than they would have when they were gangbangers.

The Salon contributor and author of Getting Off shares about her sex addiction, which began at age 12 after discovering masturbation as a way of soothing her anxiety and not having to deal with her feelings but over time escalated into riskier and more addictive behavior which she eventually sought help for. She shares about the odd relationship shame and pleasure have for her when acting out and how today she can have sexual experiences that are actually intimate and freeing.

She battled OCD as a child but when she gave birth to twins it gripped her again despite being a trained psychologist who specializes in...yes...OCD. A great episode about the power fear, dark thoughts and shame in fueling OCD but also the power of getting help. She tearfully recalls her obsessive monitoring of her newborns despite being exhausted; being gripped by fear, almost certaint of their imminent deaths. Dr Yip shares about her postpartum OCD and OCD signs, treatment & support.

Food Owns Me, Anger & Dad Issues - Jay Larson

Couple Troubles - Jen Elmquist LMFT

Network Anchor Panic Attack - Dan Harris

My Fair Junkie - Amy Dresner

Asperger's, Nerd Culture & Anime - Luke Palmer

Born Into A Notorious Criminal Family - Nicole Y.

Military PTSD & Sexism - Marc & Sonja Raciti

High School Tornado/Author Seamus Kirst

The Absent Father Wound - Daria Polatin